Find me in your labyrinth (Stella and Jonathan) novel Chapter 3592

Following Marina's suggestion, the two of them found a street food market at the night bazaar. Even though it was winter, the open-air stalls were bustling with life, the air thick with the vibrant, messy warmth of the city.

Next to the outdoor tables, someone was belting out karaoke. The rich, savory scent of barbecue filled the air, completely chasing away the bleak chill of the winter night.

They found a table and took a seat. Marina ordered their food and turned to Carson. "Do you want anything to drink? Their house-brewed beer is actually really good."

Carson glanced around. "Do you come here often?"

Flipping through the menu, Marina replied, "This place has been around forever. Whenever I came back during college, I'd always make a stop here."

She added with a hint of regret, "J City is cracking down on these outdoor markets right now. Pretty soon, scenes like this will just be a memory."

Carson leaned back in his chair. "City ordinances change all the time. Don't be too pessimistic."

Marina asked what he wanted to eat. Although Carson had already had dinner, he ordered a few things just to keep her company and not ruin the mood.

While they waited for their food, Marina smiled. "The flavor here is incredible, honestly better than the chefs at five-star hotels. You'll see once you try it."

Carson nodded. "If they've managed to stay open this long in a place like this, the food has to be decent."

They kept up an easy conversation until the skewers arrived. Marina handed a skewer of meat to Carson, her eyes shining with anticipation. "Hurry, try it."

Carson took a bite, smiling as he nodded. "The meat is very tender. Great flavor."

Marina let out a bright laugh. She was genuinely starving and eagerly dug into her food. She even had her own custom way of eating it—placing a blistered, juicy roasted green pepper onto a piece of bread, adding a skewer of tender lamb, and rolling it all up before taking a massive bite. The explosion of flavor was out of this world.

Carson loved this about Marina. She ate with unapologetic enthusiasm, completely free of any pretentious rich-girl baggage. It made whoever was eating with her enjoy their own meal that much more, instantly putting them in a great mood.

The two of them talked between bites, eventually shifting to sit side by side as they chatted and drank their beers.

But Marina still felt a little unsettled. She looked up at the lively crowds bustling under the night sky and said quietly, "But I'm not ready yet. Let's wait a bit longer."

Carson wasn't going to push her. In that moment, he seemed entirely confident that she would eventually be his wife. He gave her a warm smile and nodded. "Alright. I'll wait until you're ready."

They stayed out talking until late in the evening before Carson took Marina back home.

Upon returning to the house, Marina found Rhiannon waiting in the living room. Seeing her daughter walk in, Rhiannon immediately asked, "Where did you go?"

"Carson took me out to eat tonight," Marina replied.

Sure enough, the moment she heard Carson's name, Rhiannon beamed and dropped the interrogation. She patted the sofa next to her, gesturing for Marina to sit down.

As soon as Marina sat, Rhiannon caught a whiff of the heavy smoke and alcohol clinging to her clothes. She pinched her nose in disgust. "Where on earth did you two go to eat?"